Location detection devices for use in a courier services network

ABSTRACT

There are provided systems and methods for location detection devices for use in a courier services network. A first user may travel to a location for a particular reason, such as item purchases or appointments. While at the location, the user may be identified at the location by a server offering courier services to a seller and a second user purchasing items from the seller. Based on the first user&#39;s reason for traveling to the location and other indicia of trustworthiness or fraud, the server may determine whether the first user can be trusted as a courier. If the user is trusted as a courier, the server may update the first user and the seller to arrange delivery of the item to another location set by the second user. The first user may also be provided with additional items for the second user to deliver to further locations.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application generally relates to location detection devicesfor use in a courier services network and more specifically to detectingusers nearby a seller that may assist the seller and a buyer of an itemin possession of the seller with courier services for delivery of theitem.

BACKGROUND

Buyers may purchase items from online sellers and require delivery ofthe items to their personal or work address, or to another destinationof their choosing. Delivery services offer buyers and sellers assistancein delivering items to such locations; however, delivery services areoften restricted to certain pickup/delivery times, delivery schedules,and costs. Thus, when a seller is local to a buyer, the buyer may incurtime delays and monetary costs unnecessarily. With local sellers, thebuyer may be presented with the option to pick up the item themselves,which requires additional time and effort on the part of the buyer.Moreover, in certain circumstances where an item is needed immediately(e.g., electronics required for a work, medications, or other highpriority items), the user may not be able to visit the seller location.A courier service may be utilized to deliver items to a buyer but mayadd significant cost to the buyer or seller. Buyers may have friends,family, coworkers, or employees that may assist them in picking upitems, but this may similarly add time and expense to delivery, as wellas inconveniencing others. Thus, systems and devices that improvedelivery services are needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a networked system suitable forimplementing the processes described herein, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2A is an exemplary environment where couriers nearby a seller maybe determined for delivery of items to one or more buyers, according toan embodiment;

FIG. 2B is an exemplary environment where couriers traveling tolocations in the environment may accept delivery of an item to one ormore locations the couriers are traveling to, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 3A is an exemplary system environment having a communication deviceand a merchant device arranging delivery of an item to a user based on awhether the user is trusted as a courier, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3B is an exemplary system environment having communication devicesof two couriers receiving item delivery instructions based on thecourier trust relationship rating and travel route, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary process for location detectiondevices for use in a courier services network, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary process for communication deviceinterfaces providing courier service information, according to anembodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computer system suitable for implementingone or more components in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are bestunderstood by referring to the detailed description that follows. Itshould be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identifylike elements illustrated in one or more of the figures, whereinshowings therein are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of thepresent disclosure and not for purposes of limiting the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Provided are methods utilized by location detection devices for use in acourier services network. Systems suitable for practicing methods of thepresent disclosure are also provided.

A first user (e.g., a buyer) may purchase one or more products, goods,and/or services (referred to as an “item” or “items” herein) from asecond user (e.g., a seller). The first user and the second user may belocated within the same town, county, or other geographic region suchthat the first user may accept delivery of the item from the second userthrough a delivery means. A third user (e.g., a courier) may be locatednearby to the second user so that location information for the thirduser may be associated with, correlated to, or otherwise match thesecond user's location (e.g., within the same location or in proximityto the second user's location).

The third user may be in possession of a communication device that maybe utilized to establish the location information for the third user.For example, the communication device of the third user may connect witha seller or merchant device or through a wireless beacon at the seller'slocation or a merchant location nearby the seller's location when thecommunication device is in proximity (e.g., a range of coverage) of thedevice/wireless beacon. The seller/merchant device or the wirelessbeacon may receive information identifying the third user, which may beused to generate the location information for the third user with alocation for the device or wireless beacon that connects with thecommunication device. Thus, these devices/wireless beacons may provideshort range wireless communications with users' communication devices,such as through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), LTE Direct, or othercommunication protocol. Beacons may be set up at the seller or merchantlocation, such as at or nearby an entrance to the location, throughoutthe location and sub-areas of the location (e.g., at sales aisles,booths, or other sub-areas), and/or at checkout counters where a userpays for a transaction. The beacons may provide additionalfunctionality, such as establishing a connection with another device toprovide the user with information and communicate information about theuser's location to service provider server. Similarly, the devices maybe located at seller/merchant checkout counters or may be in thepossession of the seller/merchant. The devices/beacons may communicatewith devices in possession of users in order to connect to the deviceand determine the user is in proximity to the beacon. In otherembodiments, the communication device may receive the information over anetwork connection with another entity, such as a seller/merchantdevice, seller/merchant server, service provider, online marketplace, orother information provider.

Location information for the third user may also be established using aschedule for the third user as well. For example, a schedule for thethird user may include appointments for the third user, a meeting list,and/or travel information (e.g., travel routes between two or morelocations, such as a home/work address and a time for travel betweensuch locations, which may be determined from a user's calendar, travelhistory or patterns, social network postings, etc.). The third user mayinput the schedule to the communication device and/or to a server, suchas a service provider server. The third user's location information mayalso be generated from purchases by the third user. Thus, if the thirduser recently visited the seller's location or a merchant locationnearby the seller's location and purchased another item, the third usermay be identified with the location where the third user purchased theother item.

Location information may be communicated to a service provider server.The service provider may correspond to a merchant, online marketplaceselling items for the seller and/or other sellers, a payment provider,or other type of service provider offering courier services to buyers,sellers, and couriers. The server may execute a module havingspecialized hardware and/or software that may arrange courier servicesfor buyers and sellers. The server may then process the locationinformation for the third user (the courier) and determine whether thelocation information matches any sellers requiring delivery (e.g., thesecond user having an item for delivery to the first user). Oncematched, the server may further determine whether the third user istrusted as a courier. A determination of whether the third user istrusted as a courier may be based on past transactions and/or deliveriesby the third user. For example, if the third user is a common sellerusing the server for a marketplace and/or courier services, the servermay determine a higher degree of confidence in the third user as acourier. Moreover, if the third user has successfully delivered items inthe past, the third user may have a higher trust rating (e.g., a trustrelationship with the service provider). Additionally, if the server haspayment information, billing information, and/or personal information,the server may also determine a higher trust rating for the third user.The third user may also be trusted as a courier based on the thirduser's relationship with the first and/or second users. Thus, if thethird user is a social networking contact, co-locating user, sharedaccount owner for one or more online accounts with the first or secondusers, and/or personal relationship partner (e.g., spouse) of the firstor second user, the server may also have a higher degree of confidencein the third user as a courier.

The determination of whether the third user is trusted as a courier mayalso be based on a reason for the third user being in proximity to thesecond user, the seller. For example, there may be a higher degree oftrust in a user visiting the seller to conduct business with the selleras the seller may have financial information, identification, or otherinformation from the user. The reason for visiting may be determinedfrom the location information (e.g., a purchase from the second user ora nearby merchant, an appointment nearby the second user, a home/workaddress for the third user nearby the second user, a travel routepassing by the second user to other locations, etc.) or may bedetermined using other information known about the third user (e.g., ifthe third user is a courier available to deliver items). Once adetermination has been made that the third user is trusted as a courier,the server may provide an authorization to the second user, the seller,to release the item to the third user for delivery to the first user.The server may provide information to the third user allowing the thirduser to pick up the item from the second user, such as a location forpick up. The server may utilize an authorization code so that the seconduser knows whether to trust the third user as a courier when the thirduser arrives at the location for pick up. The authorization code maycorrespond to a code that allows release of the item from a storagelocker or device at the location (e.g., a password or lock code). Theauthorization code may also correspond to a shared secret that may beprovided to the second user and the third user and verified with eachother when in each other's presence to allow for release of the item.Further still, the authorization code may correspond to a code given tothe third user, who provides the code to the second user forverification with the service provider when the second user receives thecode from the third user.

The server may also provide delivery information to the third user forthe item. The delivery information may include a location that the firstuser is accepting delivery of the item. Thus, the third user may receivea location and/or route for delivery of the item. The server may view aplurality of couriers near the seller and select the third user as thecourier for the item to the first user's delivery location based on aradius of coverage of the third user. The radius of coverage may be setby the third user, or may be selected by the user based on a mode oftransportation by the third user (e.g., walking, a bicycle, and/or avehicle such as a car). The radius of coverage may also depend on howsoon the first user needs the item delivered to the location (e.g., whenthe first user needs the item or when the first user may arrive at thedelivery location to pick up the item). The radius of coverage maycorrespond to a certain distance from the second user's location, suchas a distance in any direction the third user may travel. The radius ofcoverage may be dynamic depending on changing conditions, such astraffic, weather, and/or change in location of the first user (e.g., ifthe first user moves closer or farther from the delivery location). Theradius of coverage may also depend on travel plans of the third user,such that if the third user is traveling between two or more locations,the radius of coverage may cover any delivery locations a certaindistance away from the travel route that the third user may take betweenthe locations. If the delivery location for the item to the first useris within the radius of coverage, the third user may be either flaggedas a potential courier and/or selected as the courier. Thus, the servermay take into account where the third user can deliver items to deliverylocations and/or the amount of time required to deliver the items.

The delivery location may be set by the first user or may be determinedbased on travel patterns, routes, and/or locations of the first user.Thus, the first user may specify that the item is delivered to a home orwork address. The first user may also view other locations acting asdelivery locations based on agreements between the seller and/or theservice provider and the locations. The other locations may correspondto participating merchants, such as retail locations and merchantstorefronts. The first user may also arrange a meeting location with thethird user, such as a merchant location, landmark, etc. The server mayalso determine a delivery location for the first user based oninformation known about the first user. For example, the server mayselect a delivery location based on whether the first user travels to orby the delivery location. Thus, a gas station, storefront, or otherlocation may be used as a delivery location if the first user comeswithin a certain distance to the delivery location. The server may alsoconsider a time that the first user comes in proximity to the deliverylocation and when the first user requires the item.

The first user may also further act as a courier for additional itemsdelivered to the delivery location for the first user. For example, thesecond user, the seller, may have two items, a first item for the firstuser, and a second item for a fourth user (e.g., a second buyer). Theserver may determine that the fourth user's delivery location is not ina radius of coverage of the third user. However, the fourth user'sdelivery location may be nearby a location that the first user travelsto or by in a travel route, and thus within a radius of coverage for thefirst user. Thus, the server may determine that the third user canretrieve the first and second items and deliver the first and seconditems to the first user's delivery location so that the first user maythen retrieve their item, the first item, from the first user's deliverylocation, and deliver the second item to the fourth user's deliverylocation. Similar to above, the first user may be trusted and selectedas a courier based on similar information for the first user and thethird user's information. Additionally, further chains of delivery maybe utilized, so that the fourth user may even further be used to deliveradditional items delivered to the fourth user's delivery location.

The third user (and other user's where a chain of delivery is used) mayalso be offered incentives to deliver the item to the delivery locationfor the first user. An incentive may be an offer of a discount, rebate,gift certificate, or other benefit provided to the third user. Theincentive may be with or provided by the second user, the seller, or maybe with or provided by the service provider (e.g., an offer for use witha payment account, online marketplace, and/or courier service). Theincentive may also be benefits for an account with the second user orthe service provider. For example, the third user may receive a highaccount rating indicating trustworthiness as a seller and/or courier.The benefit for the account may unlock further offers and/or accountuses by the third user. Thus, the third user may be offered use of otherservices and/or may receive additional offers. The third user may alsobe trusted with items of high value with a higher account rating. Thethird user may receive feedback from the first and/or second users,which may be displayed with the account. The buyer, seller, and/or theservice provider may determine the incentives for the third user. Thethird user may also receive monetary incentives from the seller and/orservice provider. Thus, individuals and private parties can be used toimprove delivery of items from sellers to buyers.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a networked system 100 suitable forimplementing the processes described herein, according to an embodiment.As shown, system 100 may comprise or implement a plurality of devices,servers, and/or software components that operate to perform variousmethodologies in accordance with the described embodiments. Exemplarydevice and servers may include device, stand-alone, and enterprise-classservers, operating an OS such as a MICROSOFT® OS, a UNIX® OS, a LINUX®OS, or other suitable device and/or server based OS. It can beappreciated that the devices and/or servers illustrated in FIG. 1 may bedeployed in other ways and that the operations performed and/or theservices provided by such devices and/or servers may be combined orseparated for a given embodiment and may be performed by a greaternumber or fewer number of devices and/or servers. One or more devicesand/or servers may be operated and/or maintained by the same ordifferent entities.

System 100 includes a user 102, a user 104, a communication device 110,a communication device 130, a package 150, a seller device 160, and aservice provider server 170 in communication over a network 190. User102 may travel to a location with communication device 110 so thatlocation information for the user may be established that associatesuser 102 with the location. The location may be the same or similar(e.g., in proximity) to a seller's location corresponding to sellerdevice 160. User 104 may utilize communication device 130 to purchase anitem from the seller, such as through a marketplace offered by serviceprovider server 170. User 104 may request delivery of the item from acourier. Service provider server 170 may determine that user 102 is inproximity to the seller and may determine whether user 102 is trusted asa courier. Service provider server 170 may also determine whether alocation for delivery set by user 104 is within the radius of coverageof user 102. If user 102 is trusted as a courier and able to deliver theitem (e.g., the delivery location is within the radius of coverage ofuser 102), the seller may provide package 150 to user 102 for deliveryto the location, which may track the location and delivery of the item.The seller may also provide further items for delivery by user 102 toadditional locations within a radius of coverage for user 102.

Communication device 110, communication device 130, seller device 160,and service provider server 170 may each include one or more processors,memories, and other appropriate components for executing instructionssuch as program code and/or data stored on one or more computer readablemediums to implement the various applications, data, and steps describedherein. For example, such instructions may be stored in one or morecomputer readable media such as memories or data storage devicesinternal and/or external to various components of system 100, and/oraccessible over network 190.

Communication device 110/130 may be implemented as a communicationdevice that may utilize appropriate hardware and software configured forwired and/or wireless communication with communication device 130/110,seller device 160, and/or service provider server 170. For example, inone embodiment, communication device 110/130 may be implemented as apersonal computer (PC), a smart phone, laptop/tablet computer,wristwatch with appropriate computer hardware resources, eyeglasses withappropriate computer hardware (e.g. GOOGLE GLASS®), other type ofwearable computing device, implantable communication devices, and/orother types of computing devices capable of transmitting and/orreceiving data, such as an IPAD® from APPLE®. Although a communicationdevice is shown, the communication device may be managed or controlledby any suitable processing device. Although only one communicationdevice is shown, a plurality of communication devices may functionsimilarly.

Communication device 110/130 of FIG. 1 contains a courier module120/140, a purchasing module 112/132, other applications 114/134, adatabase 116/136, and a communication module 118/138, respectively.Courier module 120/140, purchasing module 112/132, and otherapplications 114/134 may correspond to executable processes, procedures,and/or applications with associated hardware. In other embodiments,communication device 110/130 may include additional or differenthardware and software as required.

Courier module 120/140 may correspond to one or more processes toexecute modules and associated devices of communication device 110/130to provide location information or other information used to generatelocation information to service provider server 170, receive courierrequests for user 102/104, respectively, to deliver one or more items toa location, receive delivery information and/or an authorization codefor pickup of the items, and receive incentives for delivery of theitem. In this regard, courier module 120/140 may correspond tospecialized hardware and/or software utilized by communication device110/130 to first establish location information for user 102/104,respectively. Location information may be determined by service providerserver 170 using a schedule, calendar, travel route, destination,work/home location, or other information that may determine whether user102/104 is at or traveling to a location. Thus, courier module 120/140may provide service provider server 170 with such information, forexample, data pulled from an application corresponding to theaforementioned information (a scheduling, mapping, etc., application).Courier module 120/140 may also provide purchasing information forrecent purchases to service provider server 170. However, suchinformation may also be provided by seller device 160 or a merchantdevice performing the transaction.

In order to establish location information, courier module 120/140 mayalso establish connections with one or more other devices or wirelessbeacons to generate the location information. Courier module 120/140 mayconnect with seller device 160 and/or a wireless beacon at a locationfor seller device 160 to establish that user 102 is located at or nearbythe seller's location. In other embodiments, a merchant device orwireless beacon for a merchant nearby the seller corresponding to sellerdevice 160 may connect with communication device 110/130. In thisregard, a communication between courier module 120/140 and seller device160/merchant device/wireless beacon may provide and/or verify theidentity of user 102/104, including transmission of an identifier foruser 102/104 and/or communication device 110/130, or other informationused to process a check-in for user 102/104. Thus, check-in informationmay be established when a connection is made by courier module 120/140with one or more of seller device 160, the merchant device, and thewireless beacon.

In order to establish the connection, courier module 120/140 may receiveshort range wireless communications through communication module 118/138at the location and transmit information to seller device 160, themerchant device, and/or the wireless beacon, including check-ininformation for a check-in process that associates user 102/104 with thedevice connected with communication device 110/130. For example, awireless beacon may be located at and throughout the seller's ormerchant's location (e.g., at an entrance, through sub-areas of themerchant location, and/or at a checkout/payment location in merchantlocation) and set up to communicate with communication device 110/130when communication device 110/130 is in proximity to the wirelessbeacon. Thus, the wireless beacon may be range limited to connect onlywith devices (e.g., communication device 110/130 within the specifiedarea, such as a radius around wireless beacon, a distance away fromwireless beacon, and/or a signal direction for wireless beacon. Whencommunication device 110/130 enters the proximity radius for thewireless beacon (or seller device 160 in various embodiments),communication device 110/130 and the one or more of wireless beacons mayconnect and check-in information including an identifier for user 102and/or communication device 110/130 may be transmitted to the connectedbeacons of wireless beacon.

Courier module 120/140 may execute in the background of an operatingsystem of communication device 110/130 and be configured to establishconnections, using communication module 118/138 of communication device110/130, with one or more of seller device 160, the merchant device, andthe wireless beacon. The connection may be established with or withoutinput from user 102/104. For example, seller device 160, the merchantdevice, and/or the wireless beacon may broadcast a token, such as auniversally unique identifier (UUID), for reception by courier module120/140, as explained herein. Courier module 120/140 may utilizecommunication module 118/138 of communication device 110/130 to receivethe token. If courier module 120/140 acknowledges the UUID asidentifying the merchant location, seller device 160, the seller, amerchant, the wireless beacon, and/or service provider server 170 (e.g.,if courier module 120/140 determines the UUID corresponds to a requestto establish a communication channel and/or process and complete acheck-in), courier module 120/140 may transmit an identifiercorresponding to user 102/104 and/or communication device 110/130 backto seller device 160 and/or the wireless beacon. Courier module 120/140may utilize communication module 118/138 of communication device 110/130to communicate with seller device 160, the merchant device, and/or thewireless beacon (e.g., over near field communication, Bluetooth,Bluetooth Low Energy, radio, infrared, LTE Direct, or othercommunication protocol). The identifier from communication device110/130 may include, be transmitted with, concatenated with, orotherwise bundled with the identifier received from wireless beacon. Inother embodiments, different information may be communicated bycommunication device 110/130, such as an identifier for user 102/104, aname or other personal information for user 102/104, or otheridentifying information. Thus, the information does not need to beutilized to process and/or complete a check-in in all embodiments. Oncea connection is established with wireless beacon, the process mayassociate user 102/104 with the location of the device connected tocommunication device 110/130.

Once a connection is established with seller device 160 and/or wirelessbeacon by courier module 120/140, location information for user 102/104may be established and communicated to service provider server 170.Service provider server may utilize the location information todetermine whether user 102/104 may be utilized to deliver an item. Invarious embodiments, courier module 120/140 may provide additionalinformation for use in determining whether user 102/104 can deliver anitem, such as travel plans, destinations, schedules, or otherinformation used to determine whether user 102/104 will travel to ornearby a delivery location. Courier module 120/140 may also provide amode of transportation used by user 102/104 and/or radius of coveragepreferences. Service provider server 170 may determine whether user102/104 may be utilized as a courier using the aforementionedinformation, as discussed herein. Courier module 120/140 may alsoprovide information used to make a trust determination of whether user102/104 may be trusted as a courier. Such information may include pastcourier services provided by user 102/104, account information for user102/104, financial/personal information for user 102/104, socialnetworking or other contact information for user 102/104, or otheravailable information.

If user 102/104 is selected as a courier by service provider server 170,courier module 120/140 may receive communications from service providerserver 170 having the courier services request. The request may includea location for pickup of the item(s) to be delivered and one or moredelivery locations. The request may also include information about theitem(s) for pickup, a time for pickup and/or delivery, insuranceinformation for the item(s), incentives to act as a courier, travelroutes for delivery of the item(s), one or more travel routes to take tothe delivery location(s), or other information used for delivery.Courier module 120/140 may display the information to user 102/104through a device output interface. Moreover, courier module 120/140 mayallow for user 102/104 to accept or decline the courier request and maycommunicate the decision to service provider server 170.

Courier module 120/140 may display authorization codes for use inpicking up one or more items. The authorization code may be a sharedsecret with the seller corresponding to seller device 160. Theauthorization code may also be a code the seller uses to authorize user102/104 using service provider server 170. The authorization code may beused with a locker, dispenser, or storage means that releases the itemto user 102/104. Courier module 120/140 may also receive a code used fordelivery of the item(s), such as a code used to place the items in astorage locker or a code used to authorize a recipient of the item(s).Where user 102/104 delivers multiple items to a delivery location and afurther user is required to deliver one or more of those items toanother location, the authorization code (or another authorization code)may also be utilized to authorize further couriers in the chain ofdelivery.

Courier module 120/140 may further be utilized to request courierservice by user 102/104. For example, user 104 may have purchased anitem from the seller corresponding to seller device 160. User 104 mayrequest courier services using courier module 140 of communicationdevice 130. User 104 may request any courier for delivery, or may selectuser 102 (e.g., from previous knowledge of user 102 or selecting acourier closest to the seller's location through a map of availablecouriers). User 102 may view the courier request through courier module120 of communication device 110, and information necessary for pickupand delivery of the item(s). The seller may have one or more furtheritems for delivery to a further location within user 102's radius ofcoverage. Thus, the seller may provide the item(s) for user 102 to user104 on pick up as well as the further item(s). Courier module 120 maydisplay pickup information for user 102's item(s) and the furtheritem(s) to user 102, which may retrieve the items and deliver thefurther item(s) using delivery information provided through couriermodule 120.

Purchasing module 112/132 may correspond to one or more processes toexecute modules and associated specialized hardware of communicationdevice 110/130 to provide select one or more items for purchase from theseller associated with seller device 160 and generate payment tokens toseller device 160 for use in processing and completing a payment to theseller associated with seller device 160 for the item(s) that may bedelivered using courier services provided by service provider server170. In this regard, purchasing module 112/132 may correspond tospecialized hardware and/or software utilized to view the item(s) forpurchase and generate a purchase order for the item(s). For example,purchasing module 112/132 may allow for user 102/104 to view itemsavailable from the seller for purchase, select one or more of the itemsfor purchase, and purchase/checkout the selected item(s). In someembodiments, purchasing module 112/132 may correspond more generally toa web browser configured to view information available over the Internetor access a website corresponding to the seller, a merchant or serviceprovider having an online marketplace (e.g., service provider server170), and/or payment service provider. In other embodiments, purchasingmodule 112/132 may correspond to a dedicated application for the sellerand/or a service provider offering an online marketplace to purchase theitems from the seller.

Thus, purchasing module 112/132 may also provide a convenient interfaceto permit user 102 to select payment options and provide payment for theitem(s) to seller device 160. Purchasing module 112/132 may beimplemented as a user interface enabling user 102 to enter paymentoptions for storage by communication device 110/130, provide thosepayment options on checkout/payment of one or more items, and complete atransaction for the item(s) through a purchase request for the item(s).Purchasing module 112/132 may utilize user financial information, suchas a credit card, bank account, or other financial account, as a paymentinstrument when providing payment information in the form of a paymenttoken to seller device 160. Additionally, purchasing module 112/132 mayutilize a user account with payment provider, such as service providerserver 170, as the payment instrument. In various embodiments, thepayment token may be communicated to seller device 160 directly orthrough one or more of wireless beacon. In other embodiments, thepayment token may be communicated directly to service provider server170. The payment token may also include identification of the item(s)for purchase and a request to purchase the items. The payment token maybe generated using payment information (e.g. a payment instrument, suchas a user account or payment card information) from purchasing module112/132 and the payment token may be transmitted by purchasing module112/132 to one or more of seller device 160 and/or service providerserver 170. Service provider server 170 may provide payment for thepurchase request to the merchant or seller device 160 may process thepayment account in the payment token to receive payment for thetransaction. After payment and checkout of the item(s), user 102/104purchasing the item(s) may utilize courier module 120/140 to arrangedelivery of the item(s). Purchasing module 112/132 may also be utilizedto redeem incentives provided by the seller and/or service providerserver 170 for acting as a courier.

In various embodiments, communication device 110/130 includes otherapplications 114/134 as may be desired in particular embodiments toprovide features to communication device 110/130. For example, otherapplications 114/134 may include security applications for implementingclient-side security features, programmatic client applications forinterfacing with appropriate application programming interfaces (APIs)over network 190, or other types of applications. Other applications114/134 may also include email, texting, voice and IM applications thatallow a user to send and receive emails, calls, texts, and othernotifications through network 190. In various embodiments, otherapplications 114/134 may include financial applications, such asbanking, online payments, money transfer, or other applicationsassociated with a payment provider. Other applications 114/134 mayinclude applications used with one or more auxiliary devices ofcommunication device 110/130, such as touch input applications, cameraapplications, microphone applications, and/or other applications thatmay receive user input. Other applications 114/134 may includeapplications that provide information for use in courier requests byservice provider server 170, such as schedules, travel routes, or otherinformation. Other applications 114/134 may also include mappingapplications for use in displaying delivery locations and travel todelivery locations. Other applications 114/134 may include deviceinterfaces and other display modules that may receive input from user102 and/or output information to user 102. For example, otherapplications 114/134 may contain software programs, executable by aprocessor, including a graphical user interface (GUI) configured toprovide an interface to the user.

Communication device 110/130 may further include database 116/136 storedto a transitory and/or non-transitory memory of communication device110/130, which may store various applications and data and be utilizedduring execution of various modules of communication device 110/130.Thus, database 116/136 may include, for example, identifiers such asoperating system registry entries, cookies associated with couriermodule 120/140 and/or other applications 114/134, identifiers associatedwith hardware of communication device 110/130, or other appropriateidentifiers, such as identifiers used for payment/user/deviceauthentication or identification. Database 116/136 may includeinformation to effectuate the check-in, such as an identifier for user102 and/or communication device 110/130. Database 116/135 may includeinformation used by service provider server 170 when determining whetherto utilize user 102/104 as a courier (e.g., location information,scheduling information, recent purchases, travel routes, etc.).Moreover, database 116/136 may store received information, such ascourier service requests and delivery instructions.

Communication device 110/130 includes at least one communication module118/138 adapted to communicate with seller device 160, a wirelessbeacon, and/or service provider server 170. In various embodiments,communication module 118/138 may include a DSL (e.g., Digital SubscriberLine) modem, a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) modem, anEthernet device, a broadband device, a satellite device and/or variousother types of wired and/or wireless network communication devicesincluding microwave, radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth, and nearfield communication devices. Communication module 118/138 maycommunicate directly with seller device 160, a merchant device, and/or awireless beacon using short range communications, such as Bluetooth LowEnergy, LTE Direct, WiFi, radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth, and nearfield communications.

Package 150 may correspond to a physical package containing an item fordelivery to another user using a courier service, as discussed herein.For example, package 150 may include an item that user 104 has orderedfor delivery by user 102 to a location selected by user 104 and/orservice provider server 170. Package 150 may include packaging to securethe item as well as identification information for use in pickup ofpackage 150 from the seller corresponding to seller device 160 anddelivery of package 150 to the delivery location. Package 150 mayinclude information used in the release of package 150, such as a codeused to authorize package 150's release to user 102. Package 150 mayalso include tracking information and/or devices. A code, tag, or beacon(CTB) 152 may be placed on the outside, attached to, within, orotherwise associated with package 150. CTB 152 may include analphanumeric, bar, QR or other code that may be scanned or otherwiseread when picked up, in route to a location, and/or delivered to thelocation to allow for tracking of package 150. CTB may also correspondto a tag or beacon, such as a RFID tag, wireless beacon using shortrange wireless communication devices, or other type of tracking device,which may be used to track pickup, transportation, and delivery ofpackage 150. Package 150 may be released to user 102 by the sellercorresponding to seller device 160.

Seller device 160 may be maintained, for example, by a merchant, privateonline seller, or other person/entity, which may sell one or more itemsand/or services to user 102/104 online, for example, through a websiteand/or online marketplace. Seller device 160 includes one or moreprocessing applications which may be configured to interact withcommunication device 110/130 and/or service provider server 170 tofacilitate purchase and sale of items and arrange deliver of such items.In such embodiments, seller device 160 may be implemented as a personalcomputer (PC), a smart phone, laptop computer, wristwatch withappropriate computer hardware resources, eyeglasses with appropriatecomputer hardware (e.g. GOOGLE GLASS®) and/or other types of computingdevices capable of transmitting and/or receiving data, such as an IPAD®from APPLE®. Although only a single seller device is shown, a pluralityof seller devices may function similarly. While seller device 160 isdiscussed as a device local to a seller's location, a server at orremote from the seller location may also be utilized (e.g., a sellerdevice using a warehouse to store items). Moreover, one or more of thefeatures discussed below (e.g., item sales) may be provided by serviceprovider server 170, for example, an online marketplace provided byEBAY®, Inc. of San Jose, Calif., USA or STUBHUB®, Inc. of San Francisco,Calif., as well as sales and payment services offered by PAYPAL®, Inc.,of San Jose, Calif. Thus, in some embodiments, one or more of the belowdescribed modules, processes, and/or functions may instead be performedby service provider server 170 or another entity and vice versa.

Seller device 160 of FIG. 1 contains a sales and delivery module 162,other applications 164, a database 166, and a communication module 168.Sales and delivery module 162 and other applications 164 may correspondto processes, procedures, and/or applications, for example, a softwareprogram, executable by a hardware processor. In other embodiments,seller device 160 may include additional or different modules havingspecialized hardware and/or software as required.

Sales and delivery module 162 may correspond to one or more processes toexecute modules and associated specialized hardware of seller device 160to provide a sales interface permitting a seller corresponding to sellerdevice 160 to complete a transaction with a buyer for an item, arrangedelivery of the item using a courier, and view courier information andauthorization codes for release of package 150 having the item to thecourier. In this regard, sales and delivery module 162 may correspond tospecialized hardware and/or software to first view item inventoryinformation for items offered for sale by the seller when inventory isaccessible by the seller. The seller may use sales and delivery module162 to enter item information for the available items in the inventoryand update and maintain the inventory as the items are sold, new itemsare entered, and/or as old items are replaced. Thus, sales and deliverymodule 162 may also update item information, such as a price for theitem, available stock amount of the item, description of the item,discounts or benefits associated with purchase of the item, or otherinformation. Sales and delivery module 162 may generate sales postingsfor the items, for example, on a website for the seller and/or an onlinemerchant marketplace offered by service provider server 170. Sales anddelivery module 162 may correspond to a web browser, in certainembodiments, used to access a website or online marketplace to generatethe sales postings, or sales and delivery module 162 may correspond to adedicated application used to generate online sales postings.

Once a user has selected an item for purchase, sales and delivery module162 may arrange sale of the item. In various embodiments, sales anddelivery module 162 may receive input for the item, such as entry of anitem number, lookup of the item in a menu/sales interface, scan of abarcode, etc. In other embodiments, the user purchasing the item or theseller may enter the items through an interface. After selecting itemsfor purchase, purchasing module 112/132 and/or sales and delivery module162 may generate a purchase request for the selected item(s), forexample, by gathering the item(s)/service(s) into a transaction andproviding a checkout interface for completion of the transaction usingpayment information for user 102/104. For example, the purchase requestmay be generated from one or more items identified by user 104 asdesirable for purchase. The checkout interface may include an option foruser 104 to provide payment for the transaction using purchasing module132 by submitting a purchase request to sales and delivery module 162(e.g., a payment token including a payment account or payment card in apayment token, where purchasing module 132 has information necessary toprovide payment through the payment instrument). In other embodiments,user 104 may provide the payment instrument to seller device 160 (e.g.,a physical payment card or entry of a login to a payment account), wheresales and delivery module 162 generates the purchase request for thetransaction with the submitted payment instrument. Sales and deliverymodule 162 may further generate transaction histories for purchases byone or more users. For example, a receipt for user 104 may be generatedand provided to user 104.

Sales and delivery module 162 may also be used to arrange courierservices for package 150. As discussed herein, user 104 may havepurchased an item for delivery that the seller corresponding to sellerdevice 160 has packaged into package 150 for delivery. Sales anddelivery module 162 may receive delivery information, whether user 104has selected to receive delivery of package 150 using a courier, andinformation for a courier (e.g., user 102) chosen by service providerserver 170 for delivery of package 150. The information identifying user102 as the courier may include identification information and anauthorization code for use in releasing package 150 to user 102.Moreover, sales and delivery module 162 may display a time for pickup ofpackage 150 by user 104 as well as any pickup instruction (e.g., a placefor pickup, delivery vehicle requirements, etc.).

In various embodiments, seller device 160 includes other applications164 as may be desired in particular embodiments to provide features toseller device 160. For example, other applications 164 may includesecurity applications for implementing client-side security features,programmatic client applications for interfacing with appropriateapplication programming interfaces (APIs) over network 190, or othertypes of applications. Other applications 164 may contain softwareprograms, executable by a processor, including a graphical userinterface (GUI), configured to provide an interface to a user of sellerdevice 160 (e.g., a merchant or merchant employee). In variousembodiments where not provided by sales and delivery module 162, sellerdevice 160 may include connection and/or communication applications,which may be utilized to communication information to communicationdevice 110/130 and/or service provider server 170. Such information mayinclude pickup and delivery information about package 150, authorizationcode verification requests, and other information.

As discussed herein, seller device 160, a merchant device, and/or awireless beacon at a merchant location for seller device 160 maycommunicate with communication device 110/130 in possession of user 102through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), LTE Direct, or another communicationprotocol receivable by communication device 110/130. When establishing aconnection, seller device 160, the merchant device, and/or the beaconmay emit a communication signal including an identifier (e.g., aUniversally Unique Identifier (UUID) (e.g., through a connectionapplication of other applications 164 and/or through the wireless beaconconnected with seller device 160). Communication device 10 may executespecialized hardware and/or software to passively monitor for the shortrange wireless communications. When communication device 110/130 detectsthe signal and verifies the one or more identifiers, both communicationdevice 110/130 and seller device 160/the wireless beacon may ramp up inpower and establish a connection, which may identify user 102 as locatedat the merchant location.

The request to establish the connection may be communicated as a shortrange wireless communication (e.g. a BLE protocol communication)including a “wake up” process for communication device 110/130. In otherembodiments, the request and/or connection may utilize near fieldcommunication, radio communication, infrared communication, Bluetoothcommunication, or WiFi communication. Additionally, although sellerdevice 160, the merchant device, and/or the wireless beacon may utilizeBLE protocol communications to effectuate an “always on” type servicewhere the UUID and “wake up” process are transmitted continuously, othercommunication protocols used to provide an “always on” service mayinclude QUALCOMM® LTE Direct or similar device-to-device communicationtechnology. BLE and LTE Direct may both be utilized to provide discoveryof nearby devices (e.g., communication device 110/130) and establishmentof a connection for data transfers.

Additionally, seller device 160 includes database 166. Database 166 mayinclude inventory, sales, and/or other item information used by salesand delivery module 162 to generate a transaction, such as iteminformation, pricing, inventory information merchant applicationinterface components, and/or merchant information. Database 166 mayfurther include purchase requests for the transaction, which may beprocessed by seller device 160 and/or communicated to service providerserver 170 for processing of a payment. Database 166 may also storereceived information, such as courier information for a courier pickingup package 150 in possession of the seller corresponding to sellerdevice 160.

In various embodiments, seller device 160 includes at least onecommunication module 168 adapted to communicate communication device110/130 and/or service provider server 170 over network 190. In variousembodiments, communication module 168 may comprise a DSL (e.g., DigitalSubscriber Line) modem, a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)modem, an Ethernet device, a broadband device, a satellite device and/orvarious other types of wired and/or wireless network communicationdevices including microwave, radio frequency (RF), and infrared (IR)communication devices. Communication module 168 may also communicatewith communication device 110/130 directly using short range wirelesscommunications.

Service provider server 170 may be maintained, for example, by an onlinepayment service provider, which may provide courier services to user102, user 104, and a seller corresponding to seller device 160. Serviceprovider server 170 may also provide an online marketplace used by theseller to sell one or more items to user 102/104. In this regard,service provider server 170 includes one or more processing applicationswhich may be configured to interact with communication device 110/130and/or seller device 160 to facilitate sales of items and/or arrangementof courier services. In one example, service provider server 170 may beprovided by EBAY®, Inc. of San Jose, Calif., STUBHUB®, Inc. of SanFrancisco, Calif., and/or PAYPAL®, Inc. of San Jose, Calif., USA.However, in other embodiments, service provider server 170 may bemaintained by another service provider, which may provide marketplaceand courier services to user 102 and/or the seller associated withseller device 160. Moreover, in various embodiments, one or more of theapplications, processes, and/or features discussed below in reference toservice provider server 170 may be included in seller device 160 oranother entity.

Service provider server 170 of FIG. 1 includes courier services module180, a marketplace module 172, other applications 174, a database 176,and a network interface component 178. Courier services module 180,marketplace module 172, and other applications 174 may correspond toexecutable processes, procedures, and/or applications with associatedhardware. In other embodiments, service provider server 170 may includeadditional or different modules having specialized hardware and/orsoftware as required.

Courier services module 180 may correspond to one or more processes toexecute modules and associated specialized hardware of service providerserver 170 to receive a request for use of a courier to delivery package150 to a delivery location by user 102, determine user 102 can deliverypackage 150 to the location, determine user 102 is trusted as thecourier to delivery package 150 to the location, and arrange pickup ofpackage 150 from a seller location for a seller corresponding to sellerdevice 160. In this regard, courier services module 180 may correspondto specialized hardware and/or software to access information indicativeof a location of a user, such as user 102 acting as a courier for anitem purchased by user 104 as discussed herein. The information may belocation information generated by a check-in by user 102 at a location;GPS coordinates for user 102, and/or a connection between communicationdevice 110 and a device or beacon at the location. The information mayalso be a calendar, schedule, recent purchase history, or otherinformation that may be processed to determine a location for user 102.For example, a schedule having an upcoming meeting or appointment at alocation may be processed to determine that user 102 may be located atthe location. The location information may be associated with a locationat, nearby, or with a specified proximity of the seller corresponding toseller device 160.

Once location information for user 102 is determined, courier servicesmodule 180 may determine whether a current location for user 102 in thelocation information is associated with the seller's location for theseller corresponding to seller device 160 (e.g., the seller possessingan item for delivery to user 104). The current location may beassociated with the seller's location if user 102 can act as a courierby traveling to the seller's location to pick up the item for deliveryto user 104. User 102 may set preferences of how far user 102 willtravel to pick up an item for delivery from user 102's current location.Moreover, courier services module 180 may determine how far user 102 maytravel based on a mode of transportation for user 102 and/or presenttraffic conditions for how long it may take user 102 to travel to theseller's location.

Courier services module 180 may further determine whether user 102 istrusted to act as a courier. Courier services module 180 may access thelocation information to determine whether user 102 may be trusted as thecourier, for example, using a reason for user 102 to be located at,traveling to, or visiting the location at or nearby the seller'slocation. User 102 may be traveling to the location due to anappointment, meeting, purchase from the seller or nearby merchant, orother reason. Such reasons may be indicative of no malicious intent byuser 102 for being located in a similar area to the seller. Absent sucha reason, courier services module 180 may determine that user 102 mayhave a higher degree of fraud when located nearby the seller. However,without a reason for visiting the area, user 102 may still be trusted asa courier based on other information about user 102. For example,service provider server 170 may include personal and/or financialinformation for user 102 that may be indicative of a higher trust inuser 102 as a courier. User 102 may also be a high profile or volumeseller on a marketplace offered by service provider server 170, or mayutilize a payment services account of service provider server 170, whichmay be indicative of trustworthiness of user 102. Moreover, courierservices module 180 may access information that user 102 is a trustedcontact of user 104, such as a social networking contact, family memberor friend, or other known contact (e.g., employee, coworker, etc.). Atrust rating (e.g., a score) may be determined as to whether user 102may be trusted as a courier. The trust rating may be required to matchexceed a threshold amount/score in order for user 102 to be trusted as acourier.

If user 102 is trusted as a courier, courier services module 180 maygenerate an authorization for the seller corresponding to seller device170 to release package 150 to user 102 for delivery to user 104. Theauthorization may include an authorization code for release of package150. The authorization code may be a shared secret between the sellerand user 102, or may be a code that the seller verifies using courierservices module 180 when user 102 provides the code to the seller. Theauthorization code may also include a code for a dispenser, locker, orother device that may release package 150 to user 102. Once package 150is released to user 102, user 102 may deliver package 150 to user 104.Courier services module 180 may provide user 102 and user 104 withcontact information for each other so that user 102 may arrange deliverywith user 104 is necessary.

As described above, courier services module 180 may select user 102 asthe courier based on location information for user 102 and a trustrating for user 102. In further embodiments, courier services module 180may also determine a radius of coverage for user 102 in order todetermine whether user 102 may be utilized as a courier. The radius ofcoverage may correspond to preferences set by user 102, such as adistance user 102 will travel and/or an amount of time user 102 willspend traveling (e.g., inclusive of traffic factors). The radius ofcoverage may be dynamic depending on traffic conditions, time of day,weather conditions, or other factors. The radius of coverage may alsodepend on a transportation means by user 102, such as foot, bicycle, orvehicle. In various embodiments, the radius of coverage may also dependon a time that user 104 requires the item by. Thus, if user 104 requiresan item in 10 minutes, courier services module 180 may filter out anypotential couriers traveling on foot when the delivery location is 3miles from the seller location.

Courier services module 180 may further determine additional items thatuser 104 may deliver to further users requesting courier services ofitems in possession of the seller corresponding to seller device 160and/or located at the delivery location for package 150 to user 104. Forexample, the seller may be in possession of a second item for deliveryto another user not shown in environment 100. The second item may be inan area of coverage for user 104 so that user 104 may deliver the seconditem. However, the second item may not be in an area of coverage foruser 102 (or user 102 may have selected not to deliver the second item).Selection of user 104 as the courier may be performed in the same orsimilar manner as discussed above in reference to selection of user 102as the courier. If user 104 is selected as a courier for the additionalitem to the other user, user 102 may be provided with the additionalitem with package 150 (e.g., in another package potentially includingtracking means similar to package 150). User 102 may deliver package 150with the additional item to user 104. In other embodiments, the deliverylocation selected by user 104 may already have the additional item(e.g., delivered by another courier and waiting at the delivery locationfor user 104). User 104 may then be required to deliver the additionalitem to the delivery location selected by the other user. In a similarmanner, a chain of delivery may be continued so that a plurality ofother users may receive packages from the seller and/or other sellers.

Delivery locations selected by user 104 and/or other users maycorrespond to home, work, or other personal locations where a user mayaccept a package. However, courier services module 180 may alsodetermine participating merchants that may accept delivery of a deliverypackage (e.g., package 150) and hold the package for user 104 and/or theother users. User 104 and/or the other users may view a map ofparticipating merchants provided by courier services module 180 andselect delivery to one or more of the participating merchants. Theparticipating merchants may then accept delivery of the package(s) andhold the package(s) for release to user 104 and/or the other users.Another authorization code, shared secret, or other verification toolmay be utilized by user 104 and/or the other users to receive thepackage(s).

Courier services module 180 may also determine incentives to provideuser 102/104 if user 102/104 acts as a courier for package 150 and/oradditional items/packages. An incentive may be tied to an account foruser 102/104, such as a courier account with a rating and/or reviewhistory. The incentive may increase a rating of the account indicatingtrustworthiness of user 102/104 as a courier and/or seller. Theincentives may also correspond to benefits, offers, gift cards, etc.,that may be utilized with a merchant marketplace and/or payment providerservice. An incentive may be offered by the seller associated withseller device 160 and/or a buyer, for example, a credit to an itemoffered by the buyer or seller. Moreover, the incentive may alsocorrespond to monetary payments that may be made to an account of thecourier.

Marketplace module 172 may correspond to one or more processes toexecute modules and associated specialized hardware of service providerserver 170 to provide an online merchant marketplace where one or moresellers (e.g., the seller corresponding to seller device 160) maygenerate sale offers and postings for items that the sellers offer forsale. In this regard, marketplace module 172 may correspond tospecialized hardware and/or software to provide an online marketplaceaccessible over network 190. The online marketplace may be accessiblethrough a web browser and thus correspond to a website, or may beaccessible using a dedicated application for service provider server170. Marketplace module 172 may facilitate transactions for the itemsoffered for sale from the sellers and may process payments for thetransactions, for example, using a payment provider service. Once a saletransaction is complete, marketplace module 172 may further arrangedelivery of the item, including delivery using courier services providedby courier services module 180. Thus, marketplace module 172 may provideuser interfaces allowing for select of courier services, input ofdelivery information, and display of courier information, includingname/identification of the courier, time for delivery, and/orauthorization codes.

In various embodiments, service provider server 170 includes otherapplications 174 as may be desired in particular embodiments to providefeatures to service provider server 170. For example, other applications174 may include security applications for implementing client-sidesecurity features, programmatic client applications for interfacing withappropriate application programming interfaces (APIs) over network 190,or other types of applications. Other applications 174 may containsoftware programs, executable by a processor, including a graphical userinterface (GUI), configured to provide an interface to user 102 whenaccessing service provider server 170. In various embodiments where notprovided by courier services module 180 and/or marketplace module 172,other applications 174 may include connection and/or communicationapplications, which may be utilized to communication information tocommunication device 110/130 and/or seller device 160.

Additionally, service provider server 170 includes database 176. Aspreviously discussed, user 102/104 and/or the seller corresponding toseller device 160 may establish one or more accounts with serviceprovider server 170. Accounts in database 176 may include user/sellerinformation, such as name, address, birthdate, payment/fundinginformation, additional user financial information, and/or other desireduser data. User 102/104 and/or the seller may link to their respectiveaccounts through a user, merchant, and/or device identifier. Thus, whenan identifier is transmitted to service provider server 170, e.g. fromcommunication device 110/130 and/or seller device 160, an accountbelonging to user 102/104 and/or the seller may be found. Paymentamounts may be deducted from one account and paid to another account.Additionally, the accounts may be used to track user information,courier services, and/or selling histories. In other embodiments, user102/104 and/or the seller may not have previously established an accountand may provide other financial information to service provider server170 to complete financial transactions and utilize courier services, aspreviously discussed. Database 176 may further include information usedby courier services module 180, such as user input for courier services,location information, trustworthiness information, and/or deliveryinformation.

In various embodiments, service provider server 170 includes at leastone network interface component 178 adapted to communicate communicationdevice 110/130 and/or seller device 160 over network 190. In variousembodiments, network interface component 178 may comprise a DSL (e.g.,Digital Subscriber Line) modem, a PSTN (Public Switched TelephoneNetwork) modem, an Ethernet device, a broadband device, a satellitedevice and/or various other types of wired and/or wireless networkcommunication devices including microwave, radio frequency (RF), andinfrared (IR) communication devices.

Network 190 may be implemented as a single network or a combination ofmultiple networks. For example, in various embodiments, network 190 mayinclude the Internet or one or more intranets, landline networks,wireless networks, and/or other appropriate types of networks. Thus,network 190 may correspond to small scale communication networks, suchas a private or local area network, or a larger scale network, such as awide area network or the Internet, accessible by the various componentsof system 100.

FIG. 2A is an exemplary environment where couriers nearby a seller maybe determined for delivery of items to one or more buyers, according toan embodiment. Environment 200 a of FIG. 2 includes a user 102 a, a user102 b, a user 102 c, a user 102 d, a user 102 e, and a user 102 f allcorresponding generally to user 102 potentially acting as a courier inFIG. 1 and having communication device 110.

Environment 200 a includes seller locations 1000 that may correspond toa geographic region (e.g., town, city, county, state, or othergeographic region) where one or more sellers may be located and requirecourier services to delivery locations for buyers of the seller's items.Thus, seller locations 1000 include a location A 1002 a, a location B1002 b, and a location C 1002 c. In location A 1002 a, a seller 202 amay be located nearby a merchant location 1004 a where user 102 a islocated. Seller 206 a may correspond to a personal seller of an onlinemarketplace, such as an individual seller. Seller 206 a may have setlocation A 1002 a as the distance to search for couriers, for example,based on how quickly seller 206 a requires a courier, travel by thecourier, or other parameter. Thus, seller 206 a may be located in anoffice, home, or other location nearby merchant location 1004 a, Seller206 a may require courier services instead of delivery services, andthus request information on nearby couriers to seller 206 a. As shown inenvironment 200 a, user 102 a, a potential courier, is located withinmerchant location 1004 a that is nearby seller 206 a. User 102 a may beidentified in merchant location 1004 a through a purchase user 102 a hasmade in merchant location 1004 a, through location coordinates that user102 a has provided to a service provider, and/or through a short rangewireless connection made between a communication device of user 102 aand a device/beacon within merchant location 1004 a. Thus, if user 102 ais trusted as a courier, a service provider may inform seller 206 a ofthe presence of user 102 a and allow for seller 206 a to select user 102a as a courier. Conversely, user 102 e is shown as located outside oflocation A 1002 a and thus may not be suggested as a courier even ifuser 102 e is trusted as a courier.

Location B 1002 b shows another location to search for couriers that aseller 206 b may require for delivery of an item. Location B 1002 bincludes a shopping mall 1004 b having seller 206 b located withinshopping mall 1004 b. Additionally, a user 102 b and a user 102 f areshown within location B 1002 b. Thus, users 102 b and 102 f may beselected as couriers if users 102 b and 102 f are determined to betrusted as couriers to seller 206 b. User 102 b may be identified aslocated within location B 1002 b based on a check-in or purchase fromseller 206 b. Moreover, user 102 f may be identified within location B1002 b based on connections, check-ins, and/or GPS coordinates. However,the service provider may select user 102 b to be the courier over user102 f based on the proximity that user 102 b is to seller 206 b (e.g.,within seller 206 b's store). Such a selection may further be based ontime and/or travel constraints.

In location C 1002 c, a business 1004 c includes two potential couriers202 c and 202 d. A seller 206 c is located nearby business 1004 c andwithin location C 1002 c such that users 102 c and 102 d may havelocation information corresponding to seller 206 c. Moreover, as shownin location C 1002 c, users 202 c and 202 d are about equal distancefrom seller 206 c. However, a service provider may select user 202 c toact as the courier where user 202 d is not trusted as a courier. Forexample, user 202 d may not have a reason for visiting business 1004 c,while user 202 c may have an appointment, work at, or otherwise have areason for being located at business 1004 c. Moreover, information aboutuser 202 d may not be sufficient to support a trust finding in user 202d. The service provider may not have personal/financial information,user 202 d may have no past history of courier use and/or sellertransactions, and/or user 202 d may not be a contact of a buyerrequiring the item for delivery from seller 206 c. Thus, the serviceprovider may select user 202 c as the courier where user 202 c may betrusted as a courier.

FIG. 2B is an exemplary environment where couriers traveling tolocations in the environment may accept delivery of an item to one ormore locations the couriers are traveling to, according to anembodiment. Environment 200 b includes a courier 102 a, a courier 102 b,and a courier 102 c all corresponding generally to user 102 of FIG. 1after selection as a courier for an item.

Environment 200 b includes delivery locations 1100 having a user Adelivery location 1102 a, a user B delivery location 1102 b, a user Afriend delivery location 1102 c, and a user C delivery location 1102 d.Moreover, delivery locations 1100 include a seller A pickup location1104 a and a seller B pickup location 1104 b. In environment 200,couriers 102 a-c have been selected as couriers for one or more itemsbased on their travel routes. Thus, a service provider server may havepreviously received location information for couriers 102 a-c as well astravel route information, such as one or more destinations points fromcouriers 102 a-c's current location. In this regard, the serviceprovider may have selected courier 102 a to deliver items for buyersuser A (not shown) and user C (not shown). A seller A (not shown) atseller A pickup location 1104 a may possess items for delivery to bothuser A and user B. The service provider may have determined that noavailable nearby couriers (e.g., courier 102 a) are traveling to user Adelivery location 1102 a, and thus be able to drop off an item for userA's retrieval at user A delivery location 1102 a. Moreover, the serviceprovider may similarly determine that no available nearby couriers aretraveling directly to user C delivery location 1102 d. Thus, seller Ahaving items for user A and user C may require other courier servicesfor delivery of the items.

However, the service provider may determine that courier A 102 a istraveling travel route A 1108 a to merchant B location 1106 b, that mayinclude a participating merchant that may hold on to delivery items foruser A and user C. A friend of user A may be traveling to merchant Blocation 1106 b and able to pick up the items at user A friend deliverylocation 1102 c. Seller A may then provide the items for user A and userC to courier A 102 a, who may take travel route A 1108 a to merchant Blocation 1106 b and deliver the items to user A friend delivery location1102 c. The friend of user A may then retrieve just user A's items whenvisiting merchant B location 1106 b. Thus, the participating merchantmay further hold on to user C's items at merchant B location 1106 b.

However, the friend may also act as courier C 102 c. In otherembodiments, courier C 102 c may correspond to a different person thanthe friend as well. Courier C 102 c may be local to merchant B location1106 b and traveling along travel route C 1108 c to user C deliverylocation 1102 d. Thus, courier C 102 c may pick up user C's items frommerchant B location 1106 b and deliver the items to user C deliverylocation 1102 d along travel route C 1108 c. User C delivery location1102 d is not shown within a merchant location and may correspond to apersonal, work, or other location where a user may accept delivery. Byutilizing courier A 102 a, the service provider may provide for chaindelivery of items for user A and user C without sending one courieralong an undesirable travel route.

Although courier C 102 c is shown as passing seller B pickup location1104 b, courier C 102 c is not traveling to a merchant A location 1106 ahaving user B delivery location 1102 b. Thus, the service provider maydetermine it would be undesirable to have courier C 102 c deliver anitem held by a seller B (not shown) at seller B pickup location 1104 bfor a user B (not shown) accepting delivery at user B delivery location1102 b. Thus, the service provider may utilize a separate courier,courier B 102 b, that is taking travel route B 1108 b to merchant Alocation 1106 a. Courier B 102 b is local to seller B at seller B pickuplocation 1104 b and may retrieve the item for user B. Courier B 102 bmay then deliver the item to merchant A location 1106 a along travelroute B 1008 b for retrieval by user B at user B delivery location 1102b. Merchant A location 1106 a may include a participating merchant thatmay then hold the items for release to user B.

FIG. 3A is an exemplary system environment having a communication deviceand a merchant device arranging delivery of an item to a user based on awhether the user is trusted as a courier, according to an embodiment.Environment 300 a of FIG. 3 includes communication device 110, sellerdevice 160, and service provider server 170 of FIG. 1. The belowdescribed hardware and/or software modules execute functions asdescribed herein with respect to environment 100.

Communication device 110 executes courier module 120 having specializedhardware and/or software modules and processes described herein inreference to courier module 120/140 of FIG. 1. In this regard, couriermodule 120 includes location information 2000, which may be utilized todetermine a location for the user of communication device 110, such as acourier. Location information 2000 includes check-in 2002, schedule2004, and purchase 2006, which all may be utilized to determine alocation for the user. Location information 2000 may be communication toservice provider server 170 for processing to determine courier request2008. Courier request 2008 may be determined for the user ofcommunication device 110, as discussed herein, where courier request2008 may be displayed to the user through courier module 120 foracceptance. Thus, courier request 2008 include pickup location 2010,delivery location 2012, incentive 2014, and shared secret 2016. The usermay then review the aforementioned information and choose whether toaccept courier request 2008.

Seller device 160 executes sales and delivery module 162 havingspecialized hardware and/or software modules and processes describedherein in reference to sales and delivery module 162 of FIG. 1. In thisregard, sales and delivery module 162 includes information that may beutilized to request courier services for delivery of an item inpossession of a seller associated with seller device 160. In thisregard, sales and delivery module 162 includes a sale 2200 for an item2202, which may be in the seller's possession. The buyer may set adelivery location 2204 for item 2202 and may select to have a courierrequested 2206. Sales and delivery module 162 further may includecouriers 2208, which may be used for delivery of item 2202. Couriers2208 includes courier A 2210 having a travel route 2212 that courier A2210 may take for delivery of item 2202 and a shared secret 2016 foridentification and verification of courier A 2210.

Service provider server 170 executes courier services module 180 havingspecialized hardware and/or software modules and processes describedherein in reference to courier services module 180 of FIG. 1. In thisregard, courier service module 180 includes determined courier requests2100, such as a courier request A 2102, which may be communicated tocommunication device 110. Courier request A 2012 may be determined usingseller location 2104 and nearby users 2106. For each of nearby users2106, courier services module 180 may include a reason for visitingseller location 2108, trust ratings 2110, and travel routes 2112.Courier request A 2102 further includes a selected courier 2114 from theaforementioned information, which may have location information 2000from communication device 110. Courier request A 2102 includes an item2202, and may generate courier request 2008 for communication tocommunication device 110. Additionally, courier request A 2102 mayinclude available incentives 2116, which may be used with courierrequest 2008 to incentivize a user to act as a courier.

FIG. 3B is an exemplary system environment having communication devicesof two couriers receiving item delivery instructions based on thecourier trust relationship rating and travel route, according to anembodiment. Environment 300 a of FIG. 3 includes communication device110, communication device 130, and service provider server 170 ofFIG. 1. The below described hardware and/or software modules executefunctions as described herein with respect to environment 100.

Communication device 110/130 executes courier module 120/140 havingspecialized hardware and/or software modules and processes describedherein in reference to courier module 120/140 of FIG. 1. In this regard,courier module 120/140 both include information used to determinewhether the first user associated with communication device 110 or thesecond user associated with communication device 130 may act as acourier for delivery of one or more items from one or more sellers.Thus, courier module 120 includes location information 3000 for thefirst user, which may include current location 3002, destination 3004,travel route 3006, and radius of coverage 3008. Using locationinformation 3000, service provider server 170 may determine courierrequests 3010 particular to the first user, which may include requestinformation 3012 and delivery route 3014. Similarly, courier module 140includes location information 3100 for the second user, which mayinclude current location 3102, destination 3104, travel route 3106, andradius of coverage 3108. Using location information 3000, serviceprovider server 170 may determine courier requests 3110 particular tothe second user, which may include request information 3112 and deliveryroute 3114.

Service provider server 170 executes courier services module 180 havingspecialized hardware and/or software modules and processes describedherein in reference to courier services module 180 of FIG. 1. In thisregard, courier service module 180 includes courier requests 3200determined for the first and second users of communication device 110and 130, respectively. Courier requests 3200 includes a request A 3202having a pickup location 3204 and a delivery location 3206. Courierrequests 3202 also includes a request B 3208 having a pickup location3210 and a delivery location 3212 and a request C 3214 having a pickuplocation 3216 and a delivery location 3218. Courier services module 180may determine courier requests 3200 using courier location information3220, such as location information 3000 for the first user and locationinformation 3100 for the second user. Utilizing the aforementionedinformation, courier requests 3200 may be determined having deliveryroutes 3222, for example, delivery route 3014 provided to the first userand delivery route 3114 provided to the second user.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary process for location detectiondevices for use in a courier services network, according to anembodiment. Note that one or more steps, processes, and methodsdescribed herein may be omitted, performed in a different sequence, orcombined as desired or appropriate.

At step 402, first information indicative of a current location of afirst user is accessed, by a courier services module comprising at leastone hardware processor. For example, first location information may bereceived from a wireless beacon associated with the first location,wherein the wireless beacon connects with a communication device inpossession of the first user to generate the first location information.The wireless beacon and the communication device nay connect using oneof near field communication, radio communication, infraredcommunication, Bluetooth communication, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)communication, WiFi communication, and LTE Direct communication. Inother embodiments, a schedule for the first user may be received from acommunication device in possession of the first user, wherein, prior tothe courier services module accessing the first location information,the courier services module further determines the first locationinformation using the schedule of the first user. The schedule maycomprise at least one of the first user's appointments, the first user'smeetings, travel routes travelled by the first user, and calendarinformation for the first user. In further embodiments, transactioninformation may be received from a seller device of the seller, wherein,prior to the courier services module accessing the first locationinformation, the courier services module further determines the firstlocation information using the transaction information. The transactioninformation may comprise a purchase by the first user with one of theseller and a merchant in proximity to the seller.

At step 404, the courier services module determines that the currentlocation of the first user is associated with a seller location of aseller, wherein the seller is in possession of an item for delivery to asecond user. The current location may match the seller location when auser location for the first user in the first location information iswithin a specified proximity of the seller location of the seller. Thespecified proximity may depend on a mode of travel used by the firstuser, and wherein the mode of travel is one of walking, bicycle, andvehicle.

A trust rating for the first user is determined, by the courier servicesmodule, based on a reason for traveling to the current location by thefirst user, at step 406. Thus, at step 408, the courier services moduledetermines whether the first user is trusted as a courier for the itembased on the trust rating. The reason for visiting the first location bythe first user may comprise one of a scheduling appointment by the firstuser at the first location, a transaction conducted by the first userwith one of the seller and a merchant in proximity to the seller, and apast history of the first user traveling to or being located at thefirst location. Prior to the courier services module determining thetrust rating, the courier services module may access user informationfor the first user, wherein the user information comprises at least oneof a schedule for the user, a travel route for the user, a check-in bythe user at the current location, and a purchase by the user with one ofthe seller and a merchant location in proximity to the seller. Thus, thereason for traveling to the current location may be determined using theuser information. The user information may further comprise pastdeliveries by the first user for at least one past item to at least onepast purchasing user, wherein the trust rating is further determinedusing the past deliveries by the first user. The user information mayalso further comprise a seller history for the first user using anonline merchant marketplace associated with the seller, wherein thetrust rating is further determined using the seller history. The userinformation may comprise social networking contacts of at least one ofthe first user and the second user, wherein the first user is a socialnetworking contact of the second user, and wherein the trust rating isfurther determined using the social networking contacts.

At step 410, an authorization for the seller to release the item to thefirst user is generated, by the courier services module, based on thedetermination of whether the first user is trusted as the courier,wherein the seller provides the item to the first user for deliverybased on the authorization. The authorization may comprise averification code. The verification code may be communicated to both ofthe first user and the seller, wherein the first user provides theverification code to the seller to verify an identity of the first user.In other embodiments, the verification code may be communicated to thefirst user only, wherein the first user provides the verification codeto the seller, and wherein the seller verifies an identity of the firstuser with the courier services module using the verification code.Additionally, the second user may provide second location informationfor delivery of the item, wherein the second location informationcomprises at least one of a second location of the second user, a travelroute for the second user, and a merchant location visited by the seconduser.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary process for communication deviceinterfaces providing courier service information, according to anembodiment. Note that one or more steps, processes, and methodsdescribed herein may be omitted, performed in a different sequence, orcombined as desired or appropriate.

At step 502, a location for a first user is determined, by a courierservices module comprising at least one hardware processor. The locationfor the first user may be determined using connections between acommunication device for the first user and a device/beacon, or throughinformation available about the first user. A location for delivery ofan item set by a second user is accessed, by the courier servicesmodule, wherein the location allows for holding of the item forretrieval by the second user, and wherein a seller associated with thefirst location possesses the item for delivery to the second user, atstep 504. The location may be a home, work, or other address location.Additionally, the location may be a participating merchant havinginventory space available for holding of the item. The participatingmerchant may require the second user to present an authorization code orshared secret for release of the item to the second user. Additionally,the second user may view participating merchant locations on a map of acommunication device to select the participating merchant as thelocation for delivery.

At step 506, the courier services module determines if the location isin a radius of coverage for the first user. The radius of coverage maydepend on a delivery time required by the second user. The delivery timemay be affected by traffic conditions on a travel route to the locationfor delivery of the item. The radius of coverage may correspond topreferences set by the first user and/or a mode of transportation by thefirst user. The radius of coverage may be dynamic, and may alsocorrespond to a distance away from a travel route the first user isutilizing to travel between two or more points. At step 508, a trustrating for the first user as a courier of the item to the location isaccessed. In order for the first user to be trusted as a courier, thetrust rating may be required to meet or exceed a threshold amount. Thus,at step 510, the first user is notified, by the courier services module,to retrieve the item and deliver the item to the location based on theradius of coverage and the trust rating. The first user may also beprovided an incentive for delivery of the item, such as a benefit for auser account of the first user and/or a benefit with the seller or amerchant marketplace.

The courier services module may also determine whether the sellerpossesses one or more additional items to deliver to further users, suchas a third user. The courier services module may determine if a travelroute and/or radius of coverage for the second user is inclusive of adelivery location for the additional item(s) to the third user. If so,the courier services module may alert the seller to provide theadditional item(s) to the first user. The first user may deliver theitem for the second user to the second user's delivery location with theadditional item(s). The courier services module may the request thesecond user to deliver the additional item(s) to the delivery locationfor the third user. Further deliveries may also be made by the thirduser such that a chain of deliveries may be performed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computer system suitable for implementingone or more components in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment. In variousembodiments, the communication device may comprise a personal computingdevice (e.g., smart phone, a computing tablet, a personal computer,laptop, a wearable computing device such as glasses or a watch,Bluetooth device, key FOB, badge, etc.) capable of communicating withthe network. The service provider may utilize a network computing device(e.g., a network server) capable of communicating with the network. Itshould be appreciated that each of the devices utilized by users andservice providers may be implemented as computer system 600 in a manneras follows.

Computer system 600 includes a bus 602 or other communication mechanismfor communicating information data, signals, and information betweenvarious components of computer system 600. Components include aninput/output (I/O) component 604 that processes a user action, such asselecting keys from a keypad/keyboard, selecting one or more buttons,image, or links, and/or moving one or more images, etc., and sends acorresponding signal to bus 602. I/O component 604 may also include anoutput component, such as a display 611 and a cursor control 613 (suchas a keyboard, keypad, mouse, etc.). An optional audio input/outputcomponent 605 may also be included to allow a user to use voice forinputting information by converting audio signals. Audio I/O component605 may allow the user to hear audio. A transceiver or network interface606 transmits and receives signals between computer system 600 and otherdevices, such as another communication device, service device, or aservice provider server via network 190. In one embodiment, thetransmission is wireless, although other transmission mediums andmethods may also be suitable. One or more processors 612, which can be amicro-controller, digital signal processor (DSP), or other processingcomponent, processes these various signals, such as for display oncomputer system 600 or transmission to other devices via a communicationlink 618. Processor(s) 612 may also control transmission of information,such as cookies or IP addresses, to other devices.

Components of computer system 600 also include a system memory component614 (e.g., RAM), a static storage component 616 (e.g., ROM), and/or adisk drive 617. Computer system 600 performs specific operations byprocessor(s) 612 and other components by executing one or more sequencesof instructions contained in system memory component 614. Logic may beencoded in a computer readable medium, which may refer to any mediumthat participates in providing instructions to processor(s) 612 forexecution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limitedto, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Invarious embodiments, non-volatile media includes optical or magneticdisks, volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as system memorycomponent 614, and transmission media includes coaxial cables, copperwire, and fiber optics, including wires that comprise bus 602. In oneembodiment, the logic is encoded in non-transitory computer readablemedium. In one example, transmission media may take the form of acousticor light waves, such as those generated during radio wave, optical, andinfrared data communications.

Some common forms of computer readable media includes, for example,floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magneticmedium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, anyother physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EEPROM,FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other mediumfrom which a computer is adapted to read.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, execution ofinstruction sequences to practice the present disclosure may beperformed by computer system 600. In various other embodiments of thepresent disclosure, a plurality of computer systems 600 coupled bycommunication link 618 to the network (e.g., such as a LAN, WLAN, PTSN,and/or various other wired or wireless networks, includingtelecommunications, mobile, and cellular phone networks) may performinstruction sequences to practice the present disclosure in coordinationwith one another.

Where applicable, various embodiments provided by the present disclosuremay be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations of hardwareand software. Also, where applicable, the various hardware componentsand/or software components set forth herein may be combined intocomposite components comprising software, hardware, and/or both withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present disclosure. Where applicable,the various hardware components and/or software components set forthherein may be separated into sub-components comprising software,hardware, or both without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In addition, where applicable, it is contemplated thatsoftware components may be implemented as hardware components andvice-versa.

Software, in accordance with the present disclosure, such as programcode and/or data, may be stored on one or more computer readablemediums. It is also contemplated that software identified herein may beimplemented using one or more general purpose or specific purposecomputers and/or computer systems, networked and/or otherwise. Whereapplicable, the ordering of various steps described herein may bechanged, combined into composite steps, and/or separated into sub-stepsto provide features described herein.

The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosureto the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, itis contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modificationsto the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or impliedherein, are possible in light of the disclosure. For example, in-storepurchases have been described, but advantages discussed herein may alsobe achieved through online purchases. Having thus described embodimentsof the present disclosure, persons of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosureis limited only by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a non-transitory memory; andone or more hardware processors coupled to the non-transitory memory andconfigured to read instructions from the non-transitory memory to causethe system to perform operations comprising: receiving first locationinformation for a first user based on a short range wireless connectionbetween a first communication device of the first user and a deviceassociated with a first location in response to determining a seconduser has ordered an item from a seller associated with the firstlocation, wherein the first location information comprises an identifierof the first communication device; determining an action taken by thefirst user at the first location using the short range wirelessconnection; determining a past interaction between the first user andthe second user based at least on the identifier; determining that thefirst user is trusted as a courier for the item based on the action andthe past interaction; determining a second location of the second userfor a delivery time of the item using a second communication device ofthe second user; determining that the first user will be within a setproximity to the second location of the second user at the delivery timeusing a travel schedule for the first user; generating an authorizationfor the seller to release the item to the first user based on thedetermination that the first user is trusted as the courier and that thefirst user will be within the set proximity to the second location; andcommunicating the authorization to the seller and the first user.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a short range wirelessbeacon established at the first location, and wherein the short rangewireless beacon connects with the first communication device inpossession of the first user to generate the first location informationusing the short range wireless connection.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the short range wireless connection uses one of near fieldcommunication, radio communication, infrared communication, Bluetoothcommunication, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication, WiFicommunication, or LTE Direct communication.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise: receiving the travel schedulefor the first user from the first communication device, wherein thereceiving the first location information further comprises determiningthe first location information using the travel schedule of the firstuser.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the travel schedule comprises atleast one of appointments of the first user, meetings of the first user,travel routes travelled by the first user, or calendar information forthe first user.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise: receiving transaction information from the device, wherein thereceiving the first location information comprises determining, thefirst location information using the transaction information.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the transaction information comprises apurchase by the first user with one of the seller or a merchant within apredetermined distance to the seller.
 8. The system of claim 1, whereinthe action comprises one of a scheduled appointment by the first user atthe first location, a transaction conducted by the first user with oneof the seller or a merchant within a predetermined distance to theseller, or a number of visits by the first user to at the firstlocation.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the authorization comprisesa verification code.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: communicating the verification code to the first userand the seller for verifying an identity of the first user to theseller.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the operations furthercomprise: communicating the verification code to the first user only;receiving the verification code from a seller device of the seller; andverifying an identity of the first user with the seller device using theverification code.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondlocation comprises at least one of a second location of the second user,a travel route for the second user, or a merchant location visited bythe second user.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first locationinformation matches the first location when a user location for thefirst user in the first location information is within a specifiedproximity of the first location of the seller.
 14. The system of claim13, wherein the specified proximity depends on a mode of travel used bythe first user, and wherein the mode of travel is one of walking, usinga bicycle, or using a vehicle.
 15. A method comprising: receiving, by acourier services module comprising at least one hardware processor,first information indicative of a current location of a first user basedon a short range wireless connection between a first communicationdevice of the first user and a device associated with the currentlocation in response to determining a second user has ordered an itemfrom a seller associated with the current location, wherein the firstinformation comprises an identifier for the first communication device;determining an action taken by the first user at the current locationusing the short range wireless connection; determining a pastinteraction between the first user and the second user based at least inpart on the identifier; determining, by the courier services module, atrust rating for the first user based on the action and the pastinteraction; determining, by the courier services module, whether thefirst user is trusted as a courier for the item from a seller associatedwith the current location based on the trust rating; determining asecond location of the second user for a delivery time of the item usinga second communication device of the second user; determining that thefirst user will be within a set proximity to the second location of thesecond user at the delivery time using a travel schedule for the firstuser; and generating, by the courier services module, an authorizationfor the seller to release the item to the first user based on thedetermination the first user is trusted as the courier and that thefirst user will be within the set proximity to the second location atthe delivery time.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the determiningthe action uses at least one of a schedule for the first user, a travelroute for the first user, a check-in by the first user at the currentlocation, or a purchase by the first user with one of the seller or amerchant within a predetermined distance to the seller, and wherein thedetermining the action comprises determining a reason for traveling tothe current location based on the action.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the determining the trust rating further uses past deliveries bythe first user for at least one past item to at least one pastpurchasing user.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the determining thetrust rating further uses a seller history for the first user using anonline merchant marketplace associated with the seller.
 19. The methodof claim 16, wherein the determining the past interaction uses socialnetworking contacts of at least one of the first user or the seconduser, wherein the first user is a social networking contact of thesecond user.
 20. A non-transitory machine-readable medium having storedthereon machine-readable instructions executable to cause a machine toperform operations comprising: receiving, by a courier services modulecomprising at least one hardware processor, first information indicativeof a current location of a first user based on a short range wirelessconnection between a first communication device of the first user and adevice associated with the current location in response to determining asecond user has ordered an item from a seller associated with thecurrent location, wherein the first information comprises an identifierfor the first communication device; determining an action taken by thefirst user at the current location using the short range wirelessconnection; determining a past interaction between the first user and asecond user using the identifier; determining, by the courier servicesmodule, a trust rating for the first user based on the action and thepast interaction; determining, by the courier services module, whetherthe first user is trusted as a courier for the item from a sellerassociated with the current location based on the trust rating;determining a second location of the second user for a delivery time ofthe item using a second communication device of the second user;determining that the first user will be within a set proximity to thesecond location of the second user at the delivery time using a travelschedule for the first user; and generating an authorization for theseller to release the item to the first user based on the determinationthe first user is trusted as the courier and that the first user will bewithin the set proximity to the second location at the delivery time.